Author: Ann Liang
Genre: Young Adult / Magical Realism / Contemporary
Ideal For: Readers navigating academic pressure, identity crises, and what happens when “living someone else’s life” means nearly losing your own
If you ever wondered what it’s like to walk in someone else’s shoes—and nearly vanish in the process—Ann Liang’s I Am Not Jessica Chen delivers that experience with clarity, heart, and emotional resonance. A YA novel that fuses a magical body-swap premise with raw truths about identity, family expectations, and the pursuit of perfection, this story will stay with you long after you close the cover.
Why I Picked It Up
After reading glowing blurbs in Kirkus and School Library Journal, I was eager for a YA twist on magical realism—one that grounded high-concept fantasy in deeply human themes. I Am Not Jessica Chen came through, tackling the relentless pressures of academic expectations, the shadow of comparison, and what it truly means to belong.
Plot Summary (Spoiler-Free)
Jenna Chen, a 17-year-old Chinese American teen, has long lived in the shadow of her cousin Jessica—Harvard-bound, widely admired, seemingly perfect. After yet another rejection from elite universities, Jenna makes a desperate wish on a shooting star: “I wish I was Jessica Chen.” Shockingly, she wakes up inhabiting Jessica’s life.
At first, being Jessica is everything Jenna thought it would be—prestige, attention, validation. But the fantasy quickly turns fraught. As she steps deeper into Jessica’s world at Havenwood Academy, she realises perfection comes at a cost. Her own existence begins fading—literally—as family and peers forget she ever was.
With only one person remembering her—her childhood friend Aaron—Jenna must grapple with the existential question: is sacrificing yourself worth looking like you’ve “made it”?
Why It Works So Well
1. Authentic Emotional Anchor
From the very first pages, Jenna’s heartbreak is palpable: not just grief over an Ivy rejection, but a deeper ache born of perpetual comparison. Even the most privileged among us will feel her sting. Jenna’s growth from self-doubt to self-acceptance feels rooted and earned.
2. Magical Realism with Meaning
Liang’s take on the body-swap trope is refreshingly original. It’s not just for comedic mishaps—it’s a catalyst for introspection. Time spent in Jessica’s shoes reveals how easy it is to lose yourself chasing someone else’s destiny.
3. Cultural and Academic Pressure Portrayal
The pressure-cooker environment at Havenwood—elite, competitive, unrelenting—is vividly portrayed. The novel captures the relatable longing to escape one’s reality and exposes the unrealistic standards of success. That tension strikes deeply with anyone who’s ever felt academic or familial pressure loom too large.
4. Art, Romance & Self-Rediscovery
Jenna’s identity as an artist—her passion for painting—serves as a poignant reminder of who she truly is. While living Jessica’s life, Jenna realises “the glory of being the ‘top’ student fades away when the pressure starts to break you down”. The romance subplot with Aaron adds warmth without stealing the spotlight, sweetly reinforcing the themes of recognition and belonging.
You’ll Love This Book If You Enjoy…
- Pachinko by Min Jin Lee – for intergenerational pressure and nuanced cultural dynamics
- The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan – for magical realism with emotional clarity
- Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng – for immigrant family dynamics and identity search
- This Time It’s Real by Ann Liang – for fans of Liang’s signature tender-yet-fierce voice
Final Thoughts: A Magical Mirror for Self-Worth
I Am Not Jessica Chen transcends its premise. It’s not just a story about a body swap—it’s an emotional journey through the halls of perfectionism, family expectations, and the liberating realisation that you—messy, imperfect, uniquely you—matter.
Jenna’s transformation is a reminder that success isn’t about becoming someone else, but about embracing who you are now. In a world that often forgets you, this novel urges you to paint over the blank spaces and define your story—your colour, your voice, your legacy.
This is YA fiction with depth, nuance, and a whole lot of heart. Whether you’re a teen looking for reassurance or an adult who just needs to remember themselves, I Am Not Jessica Chen is a must-read.
